Information system with detachable information module

ABSTRACT

An information system includes a first module and a second module that interoperate over first and second communication ports. Interoperation over the first and second communication ports provides the first module access to functions and features of the second module, and likewise provides the second module access to functions and features of the first module. The first and second modules may be further operable to communicate over first and second networks, respectively.

[0001] This Application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional ApplicationSer. No. 60/291,303, filed May 15, 2001, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates to information systems in general, andparticularly to an information system having a detachable module.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] Many people today use portable devices such as personal digitalassistants (PDA), cellular phones, pagers, wireless modems, wirelessemail devices, and other devices. These devices, and other devices, suchas computers, telephones, scanners, printers, facsimile machines, etc.,operate substantially independently from each other. For example, auser's desktop telephone set and cellular telephone may provide similarcommunication functionality, but each operates independently and is notdesigned for integration or operation with each other. Where thetelephone set and cellular telephone provide for storage and retrievalof contact information, such as names and telephone numbers, the memorysubsystems on each device are also independent and require the user tomanually update both memory subsystems in order to maintain accuracy ofthe contact information. Furthermore, if the user has another portabledevice, such as a PDA, the memory subsystem of the PDA must likewise beupdated to maintain accuracy of the contact information stored in thecellular telephone and the telephone set. In summary, these devices donot readily interoperate.

SUMMARY

[0006] An information system includes a first module and a second modulethat interoperate over first and second communication ports.Interoperation over the first and second communication ports providesthe first module access to functions and features of the second module,and likewise provides the second module access to functions and featuresof the first module. The first and second modules may further beoperable to communicate over first and second networks, respectively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an information system comprising aportable module and a base module that interoperate over first andsecond communication ports;

[0008]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example portable module;

[0009]FIG. 3 is a diagram of an information system including acommunication module having a receiving portion in the base module forreceiving the portable module;

[0010]FIG. 4 is a diagram of the information system in which theportable module is removed from the receiving portion;

[0011]FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a process of placing a phonecall based on selected contact data;

[0012]FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a multiple display drivermenu selection;

[0013]FIG. 7 is a diagram of another embodiment of the informationsystem in which a portable module display supersedes a base moduledisplay;

[0014]FIG. 8 is a diagram of another embodiment of the informationsystem in which a portable module display and keypad supersede a basemodule display and keypad;

[0015]FIG. 9 is a diagram of another embodiment of the informationsystem in which the portable module includes a display and keypad forthe base module;

[0016]FIG. 10 is a diagram of another embodiment of the informationsystem wherein the portable module includes a display for the basemodule;

[0017]FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating the process of initiatingcalls based on missed call data received from the portable module;

[0018]FIG. 12 is a diagram of another embodiment of the informationsystem wherein the portable module is a cellular telephone and the basemodule is a telephone;

[0019]FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating call routing from a portablemodule to a base module;

[0020]FIG. 14 is a flow diagram illustrating a process of routing callsplaced to a wireless network to a telephone network;

[0021]FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating call handoff from a portablemodule to a base module;

[0022]FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating call handoff from a portablemodule to a base module, wherein the call is placed form a mobilecommunication device;

[0023]FIG. 17 is a diagram of another embodiment of the informationsystem in which the base module does not have a receiving portion;

[0024]FIG. 18 is a diagram of another embodiment of the informationsystem including multiple portable modules;

[0025]FIG. 19 is a diagram of another embodiment of the informationsystem including multiple portable modules and multiple receivingportions in the base module;

[0026]FIG. 20 is another embodiment of the information system includinga telephone having a first receiving portion for a PDA and a secondreceiving portion for a cellular telephone;

[0027]FIG. 21 is a flow diagram illustrating generic and restrictedfunction access;

[0028]FIG. 22 is another embodiment of the information system wherein aportable module is received in a computer having a receiving portion;

[0029]FIG. 23 is another embodiment of the information system whereinthe portable module includes a mounting base operable to communicatewith the computer via a cable;

[0030]FIG. 24 is another embodiment of the information system whereinthe portable module includes a mounting base received by the computer ina receiving slot;

[0031]FIG. 25 is another embodiment of the information system whereinthe portable module is received in a receiving portion of a facsimilemachine;

[0032]FIG. 26 is another embodiment of the information system whereinthe portable module includes a mounting base operable to communicatewith a scanner via a cable;

[0033]FIG. 27 is another embodiment of the information system whereinthe portable module includes a mounting base received by the scanner ina receiving slot;

[0034]FIG. 28 is another embodiment of the information system whereinthe portable module includes a mounting base operable to communicatewith a printer via a cable; and

[0035]FIG. 29 is another embodiment of the information system whereinthe portable module is received in a receiving portion of a pr inter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] An information system illustratively comprises a portable moduleand a base module. The portable module includes a first communicationport, a first processing subsystem, and a first memory subsystem forstoring data, and is operable to perform a first set of functions. Theportable module may also be operable to communicate over a firstnetwork. The base module includes a second communication port, a secondprocessing subsystem, and a second memory subsystem, and is operable toperform a second set of functions. The base module may also be operableto communicate over a second network.

[0037] The portable module and the base module interoperate over thefirst and second communication ports. Interoperation over first andsecond communication ports provides for information transfer between theportable module and the base module, and may also provide the portablemodule access to functions and features of the base module, and likewisemay also provide the base module access to functions and features of theportable module.

[0038] In one embodiment, the portable module is a portable data moduleand the base module is a communication module. Illustratively, theportable data module may be a PDA and the communication module may be atelephone. The portable data module may also be operable to communicateover a wireless network. The portable data module and communicationmodule interoperate over first and second communication ports.

[0039] In another embodiment, the portable module is a portablecommunication module and the base module is a communication module.Illustratively, the portable module may be a cellular telephone and thecommunication module may be a telephone. The portable communicationmodule and communication module interoperate over first and secondcommunication ports.

[0040] In another embodiment, the portable module is a portable datamodule and the base module is a computer device. Illustratively, theportable data module may be a PDA and the computer device may be acomputer or computer peripheral, such as a printer or scanner. Theportable data module may also be operable to communicate over a wirelessnetwork. The portable data module and base module interoperate overfirst and second communication ports.

[0041]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an information system comprising aportable module 100 and a base module 200 that interoperate over firstand second communication ports 110 and 210.

[0042] The portable module 100 is operable to perform functions 102 andcomprises a first communication port 110, a first memory subsystem 120for storing data, and a first processing subsystem 130. The firstprocessing subsystem 130 has access to the first memory subsystem 120and the first communication port 110. The portable module 100 preferablystores contact information data in the first memory subsystem 120.

[0043] The portable module 100 may also be operable to communicate overa first communication network 300 through a first communicationsubsystem 160. The portable module 100 may be realized by a wirelessmobile communication device such as a cellular telephone, a pager, awireless e-mail communication device or a PDA enabled for wirelesscommunications, a wireless modem, or other such devices.

[0044] The base module 200 is operable to perform functions 202 andcomprises a second communication port 210, a second memory subsystem 220for storing data, and a second processing subsystem 240. The base module200 may also be operable to communicate over a second communicationnetwork 320 through a second communication subsystem 260.

[0045] The first and second communication ports 110 and 210 facilitatedata transmission and reception between the portable module 100 and basemodule 200. it The portable module 100 and the base module 200interoperate when in communication over communication ports 110 and 210.Interoperation over the first and second communication ports 110 and 210provides for information transfer between the portable module 100 andthe base module 200, and may also provide the portable module 100 accessto functions 202 and the base module 200 access to functions 102.

[0046]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example portable module 100. Theportable module 100 preferably performs resident functions of storingand retrieving data in the first memory subsystem 120. The portablemodule 100 may also perform other resident functions, such as contactdata management, calculator functions, calendar functions, etc.Additionally, the portable module 100 preferably performs communicationfunctions, such as voice and/or data communication over a wirelessnetwork 300, and communicating with computer systems on the Internet.Depending on the functionality provided by the portable module 100, theportable module 100 may be realized by a PDA, a data messaging device, atwo-way pager, a cellular telephone with data messaging capabilities, awireless Internet appliance or other data communication devices.

[0047] If the portable module 100 communicates over the wireless network300, communication functions are performed through a communicationsubsystem 160. Network access requirements may vary depending upon thetype of network 300. For example, in the Mobitex™ and DataTAC™ networks,the portable modules 100 are registered on the network using a uniqueidentification number associated with each portable module 100. In GPRSnetworks however, network access is associated with a subscriber or userof a portable module 100. A GPRS device therefore requires a subscriberidentity module, commonly referred to as a SIM card, in order to operateon a GPRS network. Other communication networks may have differentaccess requirements.

[0048] When required network registration or activation procedures havebeen completed, the portable module 100 may send and receivecommunication signals over the network 300. Signals received by theantenna 168 through the network 300 are input to the receiver 162, whichmay perform such common receiver functions as signal amplification,frequency down conversion, filtering, channel selection, analog todigital conversion and the like.

[0049] Illustratively, the receiver 162 performs analog to digitalconversion. Analog to digital conversion of a received signal allowsmore complex communication functions, such as demodulation and decodingto be performed in the DSP 172. In a similar manner, signals to betransmitted are processed, including modulation and encoding forexample, by the DSP 172 and input to the transmitter 166 for digital toanalog conversion, frequency up conversion, filtering, amplification andtransmission over the communication network 300 via the antenna 170. Thereceiver 162 and transmitter 166 are coupled to a local oscillators(LOs) 164.

[0050] The DSP 172 also provides for receiver and transmitter control.For example, the gains applied to communication signals in the receiver162 and transmitter 168 may be adaptively controlled through automaticgain control algorithms implemented in the DSP 172.

[0051] The first processing subsystem 130 of the portable module 100preferably includes a microprocessor 132 that controls the overalloperation of the portable module. The microprocessor 132 is connected tothe first memory subsystem 120 and an input/output subsystem 140. Thefirst memory subsystem 120 comprises a flash memory 122 and a randomaccess memory (RAM) 124. The input/output subsystem 140 comprises akeyboard 142, a display 144, a serial port 146, auxiliary 1/0 devices148, a speaker 150 and a microphone 152.

[0052] The first communication port 110 may be realized by an infrareddevice and associated circuits and components, a Bluetooth™communication module, a surface acoustic wave (SAW) based system, aserial port such as 146, other types of data ports such as UniversalSerial Bus (USB) ports, or other information system to provide forcommunication with similarly-enabled systems and devices. Datatransmission and reception may also conform to other known standards,such as IEEE 802.11 b, Infrared Data Association (IrDA) infrared, or canbe carried out according to a proprietary transmission scheme.

[0053] Other device subsystems 180, such as power subsystems, may alsobe included in the portable module 100.

[0054] Operating system software used by the microprocessor 132 arepreferably stored in the Flash memory 122 in the first memory subsystem120. The operating system, specific device applications, or partsthereof, may be temporarily loaded into a volatile memory such as theRAM 124. Received communication signals may also be stored to the Flashmemory 122 or the RAM 124.

[0055] The microprocessor 132, in addition to its operating systemfunctions, also executes software applications. Applications whichcontrol basic device operations, such as data and voice communicationapplications for example, may be installed on the portable module 100during manufacture. A user may also install additional applications at alater time.

[0056] An exemplary application that may be loaded onto the portablemodule 100 is a personal information manager (PIM) application thatorganizes and manages data items relating to e-mail, calendar events,voice mails, appointments, and task items. The PIM application may alsosend and receive data items through the network 300. In one embodiment,the PIM data items are integrated, synchronized and updated, via thenetwork 300, with corresponding data items stored or associated with ahost computer system having access to the network 300.

[0057] Further applications may also be loaded onto the portable module100 through the network 300, the communication port 110, serial port146, an auxiliary I/O subsystem 148, or any other suitable subsystem180, for execution by the microprocessor 132.

[0058] A communication such as a text message or web page download isprocessed by the communication subsystem 160 and input to themicroprocessor 132, which may further process the received signal foroutput to the display 144, or alternatively to an auxiliary I/O device148. A user of the portable module 100 may also compose data items suchas email messages using the keyboard 142 in conjunction with the display144 and possibly an auxiliary I/O device 148. The composed items maythen be transmitted over the network 300 through the communicationsubsystem 160.

[0059] For voice communications, the operation of the portable module100 is substantially similar, except that received signals are output toa speaker 150 and signals for transmission are generated by a microphone152. Alternative voice or audio I/O subsystems such as a voice messagerecording subsystem may also be implemented in the portable module 100.Although voice or audio signal output is usually accomplished primarilythrough the speaker 150, the display 144 may also be used to provide anindication of the identity of a calling party, the duration of a voiceor phone call, or other voice or phone call related information forexample.

[0060] The serial port 146 may be implemented in the portable module 100for synchronization and communication with a computer or computerperipheral.

[0061]FIG. 3 is a diagram of an information system 10 including a basemodule 200 having a receiving portion 230 in which is received aportable module 100. FIG. 4 is a diagram of the information system 10 inwhich the portable module 100 is removed from the receiving portion 230of the base module 200. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the basemodule 200 is a telephone.

[0062] The portable module 100 is releasably mountable with the basemodule 200 in the receiving portion 230. The receiving portion 230 isillustratively a cavity defined by side walls 232 and 234 and bottomwall 235 and is configured to receive the portable module 100. Thesecond communication port 210 is located on the bottom wall 235 of thereceiving portion 230, and the first communication port 110 is locatedin a complementary location on the bottom portion 111 of the portablemodule 100, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0063] When the portable module 100 is received in the receiving portion230, the first and second communication ports 110 and 210 couple andcommunication between the ports 110 and 210 is established.

[0064] The receiving portion 230 also provides for retention of theportable module 100 in the received position. Side surfaces 232 and 234of the receiving portion 230 may be contoured so as to engage the sidesof the portable module 100 and hold the portable module 100 by frictionfit within the receiving portion 230. In addition, one or more surfacesof the receiving portion 230 may carry retention means, such as nubs orprotrusions 236 and 238 that engage detents 237 and 239 in the portablemodule 100, or vice versa, to thereby removably hold the portable module100 in the receiving portion 230. Other retention means may includeother elastically-biased protrusions or hooks on the portable module 100or the base module 200, co-operating with appropriate mating retentionmeans on the other of the base module 200 or the portable module 100.Alternatively, additional means to maintain the portable module 100 inits mounted position, such as a movable clip arrangement, may be mountedon the base module 200.

[0065] Illustratively, the base module 200 may be any standard telephonecomprising a base unit 202 having a keypad 206 thereon and a handset204. The handset 204 and the base unit 202 may be connected via atelephone cord, or may instead form a cordless telephone system in whichthe handset 204 and base unit 202 communicate via a short-range wirelesslink. In a cordless telephone, the keypad 206 is often installed on thehandset 204 instead of base unit 202. A speaker phone speaker 212 isprovided for speakerphone functions. Other telephone sets may also beadapted for operation with a portable module 100 as described in furtherdetail below.

[0066] When the portable module 100 is removed from the base module 200as shown in FIG. 4, both the portable module 100 and base module 200 areindependently functional. The portable module 100 functions areoperable, and the base module 200 functions are similarly operable. Forexample, the portable module 100 may be used to send email messagesthrough a wireless network, and the base module 200 may be used to makea telephone call over a telephone network. Any other functions for whichthe portable module 100 and base module 200 are enabled are alsopreferably operable when the portable module 100 is detached from thebase module 200.

[0067] When the portable module 100 is received in the receiving portion230 of the base module 200, the portable module 100 is in its mountedposition. The base module 200 and portable module 100 communicate overthe first and second communication ports 110 and 210 to provideinteroperation and have access to at least some of the features of eachother through interoperation.

[0068] The communication ports 110 and 210 may cooperate to form acoupled serial connection, such that the communication port 110 is thedevice serial port 146 or a USB port, as described above. Alternatively,the communication ports 110 and 210 may be realized using a wirelessinformation system such as infrared, SAW or a Bluetooth module aspreviously described. When the first and second communication ports 110and 210 are implemented using a wireless information system, theportable module 100 need not necessarily be in the mounted positionshown in FIG. 3 in order to communicate with the base module 200.

[0069] An extending portion 190 of the portable module 100 may extendbeyond the base module 200 to provide access to a part of the portablemodule 100 for removal thereof from the receiving portion 230. Theextending portion 190 allows a user to grasp the top of the portablemodule 100 and remove it from its mounted position. The retention meansdescribed above are preferably adapted to apply a retaining forcesufficient to retain the portable module 100 in its received position,while allowing a user to easily remove the portable module 100.

[0070] When the portable module 100 is in a mounted position, powerterminals 182 may provide operational power to the portable module 100and may further recharge a rechargeable power source in the portablemodule 100. The power terminals 182 are located in the receiving portion230 so that they are operatively associated with power terminals 183located on the bottom surface of the portable module 100. The basemodule 200 incorporates appropriate conversion and control circuitry,operatively connected to its power source and the power terminals 182 toprovide for recharging of a power source in the portable module 100. Arechargeable power source in the portable module 100 may thereby berecharged from the power source of the base module 200 by placing theportable module 100 in its mounted position.

[0071] The charging conversion and control circuitry may be installed inthe portable module 100 instead of the base module 200, or partly in theportable module 100 and the base module 200. The power terminal 182 and183 have associated circuitry, physical features, or both, to preventdischarging of the respective power sources to which they are connectedor damage to internal components caused by external contact with theterminals. Illustratively, the power terminals 182 and 183 may bedesigned to impart a physical displacement to each other such thatdisplacement of the power terminals 182 and 183 is necessary to provideelectrical contact between them and the internal components of the basemodule 200 and the portable module 100. The displacement is induced whenthe portable module 100 is in a mounted position.

[0072] In an alternative embodiment, the power terminals 182 and 183 areincorporated into communication ports 210 and 110, respectively.

[0073] When the power source of the portable module 100 is discharged tosuch an extent that the portable module 100 is inoperative, the portablemodule 100 may be configured to be fully operational while in itsmounted position as the base module 200 serves as a power source throughthe connection of power terminals 182 and 183. This provides foroperation of the portable module 100 during charging of the portablemodule 100 power source, even when the power source in the portablemodule 100 is incapable of supplying sufficient power for operation ofthe portable module 100.

[0074] Another embodiment information system 10 includes a portablemodule 100 having a non-rechargeable power source. In the mountedposition, the portable module 100 bypasses its internal power source andreceives power from power terminals 182 and 183, thus extending the lifeof the non-rechargeable source, or enabling the portable module 100 tooperate when its non-rechargeable source is depleted.

[0075] The nature and extent of the interoperation between the portablemodule 100 and the base module 200 when communicating over the first andsecond communication ports 110 and 210 will depend upon the particulardevices comprising the portable module 100 and the base module 200. Inthe exemplary information system 10 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the basemodule 200 may comprise a second processing subsystem 240 and a secondmemory subsystem 220 (FIG. 1) to provide for storage and retrieval ofcontact information, such as caller ID and contact telephone numbers.Similarly, the portable module 100 may also provide for storage andretrieval of contact information in the first memory subsystem 120(FIGS. 1 and 2). Certain fields of contact information, such as contactname, title, address and telephone number may be common to the contactinformation stored in the portable module 100 and the base module 200.

[0076] New or updated contact information may be readily transferredbetween the base module 200 and the portable module 100. Thus, the userneed not update the portable module 100 and the base module 200separately. The information transfer may be automatically invoked whenthe portable module 100 is received in the receiving portion 230 of thebase module 200. Alternatively, the information transfer may be manuallyinvoked by depressing a key or key sequence on the keypad 206 of thebase module 200 or the keyboard 142 of the portable module 100. Anauxiliary input device 148 may also be used to selectively transferinformation, such as a thumbwheel 148 a or auxiliary function key 148 bshown in FIG. 3.

[0077] When a contact information transfer is initiated, automaticallyor manually, either the base module 200 or portable module 100 maydetermine whether the contact information should be updated according toan update scheme. For example, software in the base module 200 and theportable module 100 may be configured to recognize either the basemodule 200 or the portable module 100 as a master module that takesprecedence in an update operation. Alternatively, updates may beperformed on the basis of the time an update is made, manual selectionof one of the updates by a user, or by other update schemes. Storedcontact information and associated update software and algorithms may beadapted to implement a desired update scheme. If contact information hasnot changed on the portable module 100 or the base module 200 since theportable module 100 was last placed in its mounted position, then noupdating of contact information between the portable module 100 and thebase module 200 will be required.

[0078] Contact information may also be entered or updated in the secondmemory subsystem 220 on the base module 200 or the first memorysubsystem 120 of the portable module 100 when the portable module 100 isin its mounted position. Furthermore, contact information entered intothe portable module 100 when it is in a mounted position may also bestored in the base module 200, and vice versa. When the addition orupdating of contact information has been completed, a contactinformation transfer operation may be invoked either manually orautomatically and may proceed substantially as described above tomigrate any changes or new information between the portable module 100and the base module 200.

[0079] Another embodiment of the information system 10 has a singlecontact information database maintained in the first memory subsystem120 of the portable module 100. When the portable module 100 is in itsmounted position, contact information may be stored in the first memorysubsystem 120 of the portable module 100 using either the devicekeyboard 142, auxiliary inputs 148 a, 148 b, telephone set keypad 206 orsome combination thereof. The base module 200 has access to the contactinformation stored in the first memory subsystem 120 of the portablemodule 100 when the module is in its mounted position.

[0080] In another embodiment of the information system 10, the basemodule 200 may place a phone call based on contact information selectedby the portable module 100. A user may wish to place a phone call to acontact whose information is stored in the portable module 100. Once theinformation for a particular contact is selected on the portable module100, the user may initiate a telephone call from the base module 200using the mounted portable module 100 instead of having to manually dialthe telephone number using the keypad 206.

[0081]FIG. 5 provides a flow diagram 1000 illustrating a process ofplacing a phone call based on selected contact data. In step 1002, theinformation system 10 determines if the portable module 100 hasestablished communication with the base module 200 over the first andsecond communication ports 110 and 210. If communication has beenestablished, the system 10 determines if contact data is selected in theportable module 100, as shown in step 1004. If contact data is selected,the system 10 instructs the base module 200 to initiate a phone callover a telephone network based on the contact data selected in theportable module 100. Thus, when the portable module 100 is in itsmounted position, a user may place calls from the base module 200 to aparticular contact simply by selecting the particular contactinformation in the portable module 100.

[0082] Stored information management and call placement are exemplaryfunctions for which interoperation between the portable module 100 andthe base module 200 may be desired. Interoperation may also provide forshared information display. For example, in the system shown in FIGS. 3and 4, the base module 200 does not include a display screen. However,when the portable module 100 is placed in its mounted position, theportable module display 144 interfaces with base module 200 and ispreferably operable to display telephone-related information, such ascaller identification, and thereby expand the functionality of the basemodule 200.

[0083] The portable module display 144 may display date and timeindicators as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and also may display further iconsand indicators, generally designated by the reference character 145,dependent upon the functions or resources available. The portable moduledisplay 144 may also display appropriate function menus indicatingfunctions available to the portable module 100.

[0084] When removed from the base module 200, the portable module 100 isoperable to perform only portable module 100 functions 102. However,when the portable module 100 is in its mounted position and incommunication with the base module 200 via the communication ports 110and 210, the portable module 100 has access to functions 202 supportedby the base module 200 as previously described. The displayed iconsand/or menus in portable module display 144 may reflect the availabilityof functions 202 which may be invoked or accessed by the portable module100.

[0085] When the portable module display 144 is used to display basemodule 200 information, any of several different display driving schemesmay be implemented. The portable module 100 and base module 200 may beconfigured such that the base module 200 controls the portable moduledisplay 144 when the portable module 100 is placed in its mountedposition. Alternatively, drivers for the portable module display 144 mayallow separate areas of the display 144 to be dedicated to portablemodule 100 information and base module 200 information. An upper region144 a of the portable module display 144 may be dedicated to portablemodule 100 information and functions, and a lower region 144 b of theportable module display 144 is dedicated to the base module 200information. When the portable module 100 is removed from the receivingportion 230, as shown in FIG. 4, the icons and indicators 145 for thebase module 200 are no longer displayed, as the portable module 100 isno longer in communication with the base module 200.

[0086] In an alternative embodiment, the icons and indicators 145 forthe base module 200 are available when the portable module 100 is not incommunication with the base module 200. Thus, the user is providedaccess to data received from the base module 200 and stored in the firstmemory subsystem 120. However, some functions 202 of the base module 200may not be available, as the portable module 100 is not in communicationwith the base module 200. Icons or indicators 145 for unavailablefunctions may be shaded to indicate the functions are not available, ormay not be displayed.

[0087] Automatic display control switching may also be implemented. Forexample, the portable module display 144 may default to the base module200 display when the portable module 100 is in its mounted position.Invoking a portable module function 102 may then cause the portablemodule display 144 to display information for such portable modulefunctions 102 when the portable module 100 is in its mounted position.

[0088] Manual control switching that allows a user to select whether thebase module 200 or portable module 100 controls the portable moduledisplay 144 is a further alternative. FIG. 6 provides a flow diagram1100 illustrating a multiple display driver menu selection. In step1102, the information system 10 determines if the portable module 100has established communication with the base module 200 over the firstand second communication ports 110 and 210. If communication has beenestablished, then the system 10 displays a display driver selection menuin the portable module display 144, as shown in step 1104.

[0089] In step 1106, the user determines whether the portable moduledisplay 144 will display base module functions 202 or information,portable module functions 102 or information, or both base modulefunctions 202 or information and portable module functions 102 orinformation.

[0090] If the base module menu is selected, then the portable moduledisplay 144 displays information related to the base module 200,including for example information related to base module functions 202,as shown in step 1108.

[0091] If the portable module menu is selected, then the portable moduledisplay 144 displays information related to the portable module 100 andits functions 102, as shown in step 1110.

[0092] If both menus are selected, then the portable module display 144displays information related to both the portable module 100, the basemodule 200, and/or their respective functions 102 and 202, as shown instep 1112.

[0093] Display sharing schemes may also be used where the base module200 has its own display. FIG. 7 provides a diagram of another embodimentof the information system 10 in which the portable module display 144supersedes a base module display 208. The base module display 208 may beused to display limited information, such as a calling telephone number,whereas additional information such as caller name and call duration maybe displayed on the portable module display 144 when the portable module100 is in its mounted position. If the base module display 208 will beused only when the portable module 100 is not in its mounted position,then the base module display 208 may be positioned very close to orwithin an area occupied by the portable module 100 when the portablemodule 100 is in its mounted position, thereby reducing the amount ofadditional space required to accommodate the portable module 100.

[0094]FIG. 8 is a diagram of another embodiment of the informationsystem 10 in which the portable module display 144 and keypad 142supersede the base module keypad 206 and display 208. Thus, the amountof additional space required to accommodate the portable module 100 isfurther reduced.

[0095]FIG. 9 is a diagram of another embodiment of the informationsystem 10 in which the portable module 100 includes a display 144 andkeypad 142 for the base module 200. The base module 200 is inoperablewhen not in communication with the portable module 100. Alternatively,the base module 200 may be able to perform limited functions when not incommunication with the portable module 100, such as receiving andanswering telephone calls. In a further alternative embodiment, thereceiver 204 of the base module 200 may include a keypad and possibly adisplay, such that the base module may be fully operational when not incommunication with the portable module 100.

[0096]FIG. 10 is a diagram of another embodiment of the informationsystem 10 wherein the portable module 100 includes a display for thebase module 200. In this embodiment, the portable module 100 is a small,pager-sized device adapted for mounting on the base module 200. A basemodule display 208 may also be located beneath the portable module 100,in the receiving portion 230, as described with reference to FIG. 7.

[0097] Illustratively, if the portable module 100 is a paging device,the base module 200 is operable to return a call received by theportable module 100 when the portable module 100 is in its mountedposition. The call may be returned automatically or upon manualinitiation by the user. Thus, the portable module 100 and the basemodule 200 interoperate to return calls to pages received by theportable module 100.

[0098] In addition to contact data, other information stored in the basemodule 200 or portable module 100 may be similarly transferred via thecommunication ports 110 and 210. For example, a user may wish totransfer lists of recent callers and recently called telephone numbersstored in the base module 200 to the portable module 100. The user mayaccess the list to return missed calls and redial telephone numbers forcalls that may not have been completed or answered. If the portablemodule 100 is a device enabled for voice communications, such as acellular telephone, recent calls may be returned or redialled using theportable module 100. Of course, missed call data from a cellulartelephone may also be transferred to the base module 200 and calls maythen be returned from the base module 200 over a telephone network.

[0099]FIG. 11 provides a flow diagram 1200 illustrating the process ofinitiating calls based on missed call data from the portable module 100.Illustratively, the portable module 100 is a cellular telephone, and themissed call data relates to unanswered calls to the cellular telephone.In step 1202, the information system 10 determines if the portablemodule 100 has established communication with the base module 200 overthe first and second communication ports 110 and 210. If communicationhas been established, the system 10 accesses missed call data from theportable module 100, as shown in step 1204.

[0100] If the missed call data indicates that calls have been missed onthe portable module 100 in step 1206, then the missed calls aredisplayed on the portable module display 144 or the communication moduledisplay 208, as shown in step 1208.

[0101] If the user selects a missed call in step 1210, then the basemodule 200 is instructed to initiate a call over a telephone networkbased on the missed call data, as shown in step 1212. Thus, if a userinadvertently leaves a cellular phone switched off, or is otherwiseprevented from receiving calls on a cellular phone, then the missedcalls may be conveniently and quickly returned from a standardtelephone.

[0102] If the portable module 100 is not capable of voicecommunications, then transferring the caller and redial lists to theportable module 100 allows the user to retrieve the telephone numbersfrom the portable module 100 even when the base module 200 is notimmediately accessible, and thereby allows the user to redial and returncalls from another telephone.

[0103] Transfers of caller and redial lists, as well as other additionalinformation, between the portable module 100 and base module 200 may beinvoked either manually by a user or automatically when the portablemodule 100 establishes communication with the base module 200.

[0104] As described above, the portable module 100 may be enabled forvoice communications. When a user has both a voice-enabled portablemodule 100, such as a cellular telephone, and a voice-enabled basemodule 200, such as a telephone, as shown in FIG. 12, there are normallydifferent phone numbers assigned to the portable module 100 and basemodule 200. A caller attempting to place a call to such a user normallyhas no knowledge of the location of the user and may often dial theportable module 100 phone number instead of the phone number for thebase module 200, simply because the user may be more likely to answer acall to the portable module 100 than the base module 200.

[0105]FIG. 13 provides a diagram illustrating call routing from theportable module 100 to the base module 200 to avoid airtime usage forcalls to the portable module 100. Illustratively, the portable module100 is a communication device that receives phone calls over a wirelessnetwork 300, and the base module 200 is a telephone that communicatesover a telephone network 320. The telephone network 320 and the wirelessnetwork 300 communicate through a gateway 330. The base module 200 andcaller equipment 201 are connected to the telephone network 320 vialinks 304 and 306, respectively. The links 304 and 306 will typically behardwired conductor or optical links, but may also include wirelesscommunication links to the telephone network 320. The portable module100 and a communication device 321 communicate over the wireless network300 through wireless links. The gateway 330 is a system through whichcalls to the portable module 100 and possibly other communicationdevices enter and are routed through the network 300. Although shown inFIG. 12 as linking the telephone network 320 and the wirelesscommunication network 300, the gateway 330 may be implemented in eitherof these networks. Other intervening networks may also be used.

[0106] When the portable module 100 is placed in its mounted position,as indicated in FIG. 13 by the double arrow 68, a control message 70 issent to the network 300. The control message 70 may then be forwarded tothe gateway 330 or a network service provider that operates the gateway330 and/or network 300. In response to the control message 70, anysubsequent incoming calls over the wireless network 300 for the portablemodule 100 are routed over the telephone network 320 to the base module200. The routing includes both calls placed over the telephone network320, as indicated by arrow 72, and calls placed over the wirelessnetwork 300, as indicated by arrow 74. As long as the portable module100 remains in its mounted position, the incoming calls to the portablemodule 100 will continue to be routed over the telephone network 320.

[0107]FIG. 14 provides a flow diagram 1300 illustrating a process ofrouting calls placed to a wireless network 300 to a telephone network320. In step 1302, the information system 10 determines if the portablemodule 100 has established communication with the base module 200 overthe first and second communication ports 110 and 210. If communicationhas not been established, then calls to the portable module 100 arereceived over the wireless network 300, as shown in step 1304. Ifcommunication has been established, however, then a control signal 70 issent to the wireless network 300 to route calls over the wirelessnetwork 300 to the base module 200 over the telephone network 320, asshown in step 1306.

[0108] The call routing of step 1306 continues until the system 10detects that the communication between the portable module 100 and thebase module 200 over the first and second communication ports 110 and210 is terminated, as shown in step 1308. Upon communicationtermination, another control signal 70 is sent to the wireless network300 to cancel the routing of calls over the wireless network 300 to thebase module 200 over the telephone network 320, as shown in step 1310.

[0109] In a similar manner, the base module 200 may also be configuredto route calls to the portable module 100 unless the portable module 100is in its mounted position. These two routing schemes may be furthercombined so that calls to the portable module 100 will automatically berouted to the base module 200 when the portable module 100 is in itsmounted position, and calls to the base module 200 will automatically berouted to the portable module 100 when the portable module 100 isdetached.

[0110] Furthermore, a user may configure the portable module 100 andbase module 200 to automate re-routing functions as desired.Illustratively, if the base module 200 is a user's business telephone,the user may configure the base module 200 to route calls to theportable module 100 only during the user's morning and evening commutetimes. Thus, should the user receive a business call to the base module200 when the user is travelling to or from work, the user may answer thecall on the portable module 100.

[0111] A user may also override any automatic re-routing, using eitherthe portable module 100 or base module 200 I/O devices. Illustratively,if a user's base module 200 is a business telephone, the user may beable to override automatic call re-routing to the portable module 100 insuch situations as when the portable module 100 is lost or the user isat the office but is not in possession of the portable module 100.

[0112] When the portable module 100 is detached from the base module 200or a user wishes to override call re-routing, another control message issent to the gateway 330 or a network service provider to terminate thecall re-routing. The portable module 100 and base module 200 are thenoperable to make and receive calls separately.

[0113] The information system 10 also provides for handing off to thebase module 200 a call that is in progress to the portable module 100when the portable module 100 is placed in its mounted position. If auser has a call in progress to the portable module 100 when approachingthe vicinity of the base module 200, the user may desire to proceed withthe call using the base module 200 instead of the portable module 100.

[0114] Rather than terminating the existing call and re-establishing thecall through the base module 200, a handoff may be accomplished totransfer the call from the portable module 100 to the base module 200.FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating call handoff from the portable module100 to a base module 200. A call in progress to the portable module 100is indicated by arrow 76. When the user places the portable module 100in its mounted position as indicated by double arrow 68, a controlmessage 70 is sent to the network 300. The control message 70 may thenbe forwarded to the gateway 330 -f or a network service provider thatoperates the gateway 330 and/or network 300. The gateway 330 or thenetwork 300 then routes the call 76 to the base module 200 through thetelephone network 320 instead of to the portable module 100 through thewireless communication network 300 as long as the portable module 100remains in its mounted position.

[0115] The routing of call 76 through the telephone network 320, asindicated by arrow 78, is accomplished by the gateway 330 incommunication with the wireless network 300. The call 76 is maintaineduntil the call connection 78 is established. When the call 78 isestablished, the mobile network call 76 may be terminated. Accordingly,the calling or called party is not required to perform any call transferor redial operations to connect with the base module 200 to continue thecall. Furthermore, when the portable module 100 is placed in its mountedposition, the user may immediately continue a call 76 to the portablemodule 100 using the base module 200. However, the call to the portablemodule 100 continues over the wireless network 300. The portable module100 communicates with the base module 200 over the first and secondcommunication ports 110 and 210 to facilitate the use of the handset 204for voice communications via the portable module 100. The handset isthen effectively an auxiliary I/O device 148 that is used instead of themodule speaker 150 and microphone 150 to continue the call. Once there-routed call 78 is connected over the telephone network 320 to thebase module 200, the call to the portable module 100 is terminated.

[0116] In another embodiment, when the portable module 100 is placed inits mounted position, the user may immediately continue a call to theportable module 100 using the base module 200. However, the call to theportable module 100 remains over the wireless network 300 and is notre-routed. The portable module 100 communicates with the base module 200over the first and second communication ports 110 and 210 to facilitatethe use of the handset 204 for voice communications via the portablemodule 100. The handset is then effectively an auxiliary I/O device 148that is used instead of the module speaker 150 and microphone 150 tocontinue the call.

[0117]FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating call handoff from a portablemodule 100 to a base module 200, wherein the call is placed form amobile communication device 321. The overall handoff process issubstantially as described above. However, when the call 80 is betweentwo wireless communication devices communicating over the wirelessnetwork 300, it may be necessary to transmit a control message to otherwireless network 300 components instead of or in addition to the gateway330 in order to establish the new call connection 82 to the base module200 through the telephone network 320. A call handoff for a wirelesscommunication device to another wireless communication device will beadapted to the particular wireless network 300 through which the call isrouted.

[0118] When a call is in progress on the base module 200 and theportable module 100 in its mounted position, detachment of the portablemodule 100 may initiate a handoff from the base module 200 to theportable module 100, substantially as described above. A control messagemay be sent from either the base module 200 or portable module 100 tothe network 300 or gateway 330 or other communications equipment in thetelephone network 320 to establish a new call connection through thewireless network 300 to the portable module 100. This function, likethose described above, may be configured for automatic or manualexecution.

[0119] Even when the portable module 100 is not enabled for voice oraudio functions, voice or audio related functions of the base module 200may still be accessible to and usable by the portable module 100 whenthe portable module 100 is in its mounted position. For example, if theportable module 100 is a mobile e-mail messaging device adapted forreceiving e-mail messages and attachments, the user may receive voice oraudio items such as sound file attachments to the e-mail messages at theportable module 100. When a user's voicemail system is integrated withor operates in conjunction with an e-mail system such that voicemailmessages appear in the user's email inbox, voicemail messages may alsobe received at the portable module 100.

[0120] When the portable module 100 is mounted on the base module 200,and thus in communication with the base module 200 over communicationports 110 and 210, a speaker in the handset 204 or an auxiliary speakerphone speaker 212 or other handsfree accessory connected to the basemodule 200 provides an audio playback feature. An audio file, voicemailmessage or incoming internet audio content may be transferred from theportable module 100 to the base module 200 or otherwise made accessibleto the base module 200 for audio playback. Playback of a voicemailmessage from the portable module 100 through the base module 200 allowsa user to access and listen to voicemail messages without having to calla voicemail system. The audio playback also enhances Internet browsingon the portable module 100 because audio content is now available whenbrowsing on the portable module 100.

[0121] The base module 200 may incorporate appropriate processingcircuitry corresponding to the types of files or voicemails to be playedback through the portable module 100. Alternatively, the portable module100 may include basic processing circuitry to generate output signalssuitable for driving a speaker in the base module 200.

[0122] Another embodiment of the information system 10 provides fortransferring audio files from the base module 200 to the portable module100. Further, if the portable module 100 communicates over the wirelessnetwork 300, the user may then send audio files over the network 300.

[0123] However, if the portable module 100 does not include audio orsound processing features, the base module 200 may still be used torecord audio files which may be stored in the base module 200 and/or theportable module 100 when the portable module 100 is in its mountedposition. The user may then forward the audio file using the portablemodule 100, or simply store the file for later use. Audio files recordedin this manner may be voice messages, sound clips, recording oftelephone conversations and the like.

[0124] Furthermore, if the base module 200 does not include a memorysubsystem, the portable module 100 provides both a memory subsystem 120for recording audio files and a means for sending such audio files fromthe base module 200. The base module 200 similarly provides audioprocessing and transducers for the portable module 100 to play backaudio files stored at the portable module 100 and record audio inputsfor storage in the first memory subsystem 120 of the portable module100.

[0125] The above embodiments of the information system 10 have beendescribed in the context of the portable module 100 being received in areceiving portion 230 of the base module 200. When the portable module100 is received in the receiving portion 230 of the base module 200,communication over the communication ports 110 and 210 is established.However, communication over the communication ports 110 and 210 may alsobe established when the portable module 100 is not received in thereceiving portion 230. FIG. 17 is a diagram of another embodiment of theinformation system 10 in which the base module 200 does not have areceiving portion 230. In this embodiment, the portable module 100communicates with the base module 200 when the portable module 100 iswithin a transmission range of the base module 200, or, alternatively,when transmission is enabled by the user of the portable module 100.

[0126] The transmission range may depend of the communication devicesused to realize the communication ports 110 and 210. For example, if thecommunication ports 110 and 210 comprise infrared transceivers, thetransmission range may be limited to a room in which the portable module100 and the base module 200 are located. On the other hand, if thecommunication ports 110 and 210 comprise RF transceivers, thetransmission range may be expanded to several adjacent rooms or evenfurther. Illustratively, a portable module 100 and a base module 200interoperating over a RF link may provide a user with caller IDinformation for an incoming phone call to the base module 200 via themodule display 144 when the user is in another room. Furthermore, theportable module 100 may answer the incoming phone call to the basemodule 200. Thus, the phone call is placed over the telephone network320, and the portable module 100 communicates over the telephone network320 via the communication ports 110 and 210 and the base module 200.

[0127] The above embodiments of the information system 10 have beendescribed primarily in the context of a base module 200 having a singleassociated portable module 100. More than one portable module 100 may beassociated with a base module 200. FIG. 18 is a diagram of anotherembodiment of the information system 10 including multiple portablemodules 100 a and 100 b. Each portable module 100 a and 100 bcommunicates with the base module 200 via ports 110 a and 110 b,respectively. Each portable module 100 a and 100 b may also performdifferent functions 102 a and 102 b, respectively. For example, portablemodule 100 a may be a voice module, such as a cellular telephone, andportable module 100 b may be a data module, such as a PDA. Each portablemodule 100 a and 100 b may also incorporate different communicationmeans for ports 110 a and 110 b; accordingly, the base module 200 willalso include corresponding communication means to communicate over eachcommunication port 110 a and 110 b.

[0128] Each portable module 100 a and 100 b may include a particulardevice identification number as described above. The base module 200 mayaccess the first memory subsystem 120 of a portable module 100 to obtainthe identification number, or a portable module 100 may transfer itsidentification number to the base module 200 when placed in a mountedposition. If the portable module 100 is a GPRS device, then the basemodule 200 may be configured to determine an identity by accessing a SIMcard installed in the portable module 100.

[0129] Functions 102 a and 102 b may include common functions andfeatures, such as storing and accessing contact data. Information may betransferred between any portable module 100 a and 100 b and the basemodule 200.

[0130] Furthermore, the base module 200 may include a memory subsystemand may store information in a plurality of distinct memory locations,each of which preferably corresponds to one or more modules 100.Illustratively, a second memory subsystem 220 in the base module 200includes a memory area dedicated to the base module 200, memory areasfor each portable module 100 a and 100 b, and a further memory area forcommon storage for data common to the base module 200 and portablemodules 100 a and 100 b.

[0131] When a portable module 100 a is placed in a mounted position,data stored in a memory first subsystem in that portable module may besynchronized with memory areas dedicated to the portable module 100 aand a common storage area. Data may also be synchronized with a memoryarea for portable module 100 b and the base module 200. Thus, datastored in each portable module 100 a and 100 b may include unique andcommon data. For example, both portable modules 100 a and 100 bassociated with the base module 200 may store common emergency contactinformation but different personal contact information.

[0132] In another embodiment, the data corresponding to a particularportable module 100 in a memory area in the base module 200 may only beaccessible by the particular portable module 100.

[0133] The features of the information system 10 described withreference to FIGS. 1-17 are likewise available to modules 100 a and 100b. Each portable module 100 a and 100 b and the base module 200cooperate substantially as described above to provide for such featuresas appropriate for each combination.

[0134]FIG. 19 is a diagram of another embodiment of the informationsystem including multiple portable modules 100 a and 100 b and multiplereceiving portions 230 a and 230 b. The features of the informationsystem 10 described with reference to FIGS. 1-17 are likewise availableto modules 100 a and 100 b. Furthermore, multiple interoperations mayoccur simultaneously. For example, portable module 100 a may exchangedata with the base module 200, and portable module 100 b may be used toroute phone calls over a wireless network 300 from base module 200.

[0135] When a portable module display 144 is to be used to display basemodule 200 information as described above, the portable module display144 of one of the portable modules 100 a and 100 b will preferably beused for such purpose at any one time. The base module 200 and portablemodules 100 a and 100 b may be configured such that when both portablemodules 100 a and 100 b are mounted in the receiving portions 230 a and230 b, base module 200 information is displayed in a default portablemodule, illustratively 100 a. If the portable module 100 a is detachedfrom the base module 200, to then the base module 200 information willpreferably be displayed on the portable module display 244 b of portablemodule 100 b.

[0136] Such display switching may also be invoked when a current defaultportable module 100 a is used to perform its own resident functions whenin its mounted position. Illustratively, if the default portable module100 a is a data module, such as a PDA, and a calculator function isinvoked, then the base module 200 information is displayed on thedisplay 244 b of the portable module 100 b. If both modules 100 a and100 b are in use, then the default portable module 100 a may beconfigured to display base module 200 information on a portion of itsdisplay screen, as described above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0137] The embodiment of FIG. 19 may be adapted to provideinteroperation between a telephone, a PDA, and a cellular telephone, asshown in FIG. 20. FIG. 20 is another embodiment of the informationsystem including a telephone having a first receiving portion for a PDAand a second receiving portion for a cellular telephone. The base module200 is illustratively a telephone, the portable module 100 a isillustratively a PDA, and the portable module 100 b is illustratively acellular telephone. As previously described, multiple interoperations offunctions between the telephone 200, the PDA 100 a and the cellulartelephone 100 b may occur simultaneously. For example, when the PDA 100a and the cellular telephone 100 b are received in receiving portions230 a and 230 b, respectively, telephone calls to the cellular telephone100 b may be routed from a wireless communication network to thetelephone 200 over a telephone network. Furthermore, calls received onthe telephone 200 may be recorded and stored in a first memory subsystemof the PDA 100 a.

[0138] In another example, recorded conversations or audio files storedin the first memory subsystem of the PDA 100 a may be played during atelephone conversation conducted over a telephone network via telephone200, or over a wireless communication network over the cellulartelephone 100 b. As described above, such stored files may instead beplayed back locally, through a receiver or speaker of the telephone 200.

[0139] A computer 400 may also be in communication with a telephone 200over a link 402. Illustratively, the link 402 is a serial cable. Ofcourse, communication between the telephone 200 and the computer 400 maybe established by other means, including the wireless communicationmeans as previously described.

[0140] The computer 400 may, for example, access the first memorysubsystem of the PDA 100 a, and the first memory subsystem of thecellular telephone 100 b.

[0141] Furthermore, the computer 400 may also have access to a secondmemory subsystem of the telephone 200.

[0142] A user may further interoperate the telephone 200, the PDA 100 a,and the cellular telephone 100 b through the computer 400. Acommunication management program stored and executed on the computer400, allows the user to access the telephone 200 functions, the PDA 100a functions, and the cellular telephone 100 b functions. Furthermore,the computer 400 may also store a master database in which datadownloaded from the telephone 200, the PDA 100 a, and the cellulartelephone 100 b is consolidated.

[0143] A base module 200 may also be operable to provide generic andrestricted functions. A base module 200 may be associated with a firstportable module 100 a and provide both generic and restricted functionswhen the portable module 100 a is in communication with the base module200 over first and second communication ports 110 and 210.Illustratively, displaying caller identification on the portable moduledisplay 144 and enabling local calling are generic functions. Enablinglong distance calling, recording a phone conversation on the base module200 into the first memory subsystem 120 of the portable module 100, andaccessing data stored in a second memory subsystem 220 of the basemodule 200 are restricted functions. Thus, a first user with the firstportable module 100 a has access to both generic and restrictedfunctions. However, a second user with a second portable module 100 bmay have access only to the generic functions on the base module 200 ifit is not associated with the base module 200.

[0144] Access to the restricted functions may further be limited byrequiring a passcode to be entered when the portable module 100 isplaced in a mounted position on base module 200. The passcode providesadded security in the event that a portable module 100 is lost orstolen.

[0145] The passcode may also be used to enable restricted functions on abase module 200 with which a portable module 100 is not associated. Asdescribed above, the base module 200 may detect an identification numberof a portable module 100 that is placed in a mounted position todetermine whether or not a passcode prompt is required. If a passcode isrequired, then unless a user enters a valid passcode, access to anyrestricted functions is denied.

[0146] The designation of particular functions as generic or restrictedis preferably made by the user or a system administrator. Furthermore,different classifications of generic functions and restricted functionsmay also be defined. For example, a corporate user may be able to accessall generic and restricted functions on his or her own telephone set,and all “corporate-generic” functions from any other corporate telephoneset. However, a visitor to corporate premises may be permitted accessonly to visitor generic functions, such as portable module 100charging/powering and local telephone calling.

[0147]FIG. 21 provides a flow diagram 1400 illustrating generic andrestricted function access as implemented in a corporate setting. Instep 1402, the information system 10 determines whether the portablemodule 100 is in communication with the base module 200 overcommunication ports 110 and 210. If communication is not established,then the information system 10 enables only PBX calling within acorporation as shown in step 1404.

[0148] However, if communication is established, then step 1406determines whether the portable module 100 is associated with the basemodule 200. If the portable module 100 is associated with the basemodule 200, step 1408 requests a passcode from the user. In step 1410,the information system 10 determines whether a valid passcode has beenreceived. If a valid passcode is received, then step 1412 enables allgeneric and restricted functions to the user.

[0149] Returning to step 1406, if the portable module 100 is notassociated with the base module 200, then step 1414 determines whetherthe portable module 100 is a visitor module. If the portable module 100is a visitor module, then step 1416 enables visitor generic functions.Illustratively, visitor generic functions include local calling from thecorporate premises.

[0150] If the portable module 100 is not a visitor module, however, thena passcode is requested in step 1418. In step 1420, the system 10determines whether a valid passcode has been input by the user. If avalid passcode has been input by the user, step 1422 enables corporategeneric functions.

[0151]FIG. 22 is another embodiment of the information system 10 whereina portable module 100 is received in a computer 400 having a receivingportion 430. The computer 400 includes a keyboard 414, a set ofauxiliary input keys 416, and a display 418. The portable module 100 maybe mountable on the keyboard portion of the computer 400, as shown inFIG. 22, or adjacent to the display 418. The computer 400 and portablemodule 100 may also be adapted such that the portable module 100 or apart thereof is inserted into an enclosed mounting cavity to enable theportable module 100 to communicate with the computer 400.

[0152] Of course, rather than being received in the receiving portion430 of the computer 400, the portable module 100 may communicate withthe computer 400 via a short range link as previously described, thuseliminating the receiving portion 430.

[0153] Alternatively, separate mounting components 420 may be provided,as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24. FIG. 23 is another embodiment of theinformation system wherein the portable module includes a mounting baseoperable to communicate with the computer via a cable. FIG. 24 is afurther embodiment of the information system wherein the portable moduleincludes a mounting base received by the computer in a receiving slot.

[0154] In FIG. 23, the mounting component 420 is connected to computer400 through a cable 422 and a port 423 on the computer 400. The mountingcomponent 420 of FIG. 24 communicates with the computer 400 through anexpansion slot such as a PCMCIA port 428 and corresponding computer card426. The card 426 may be separate from both the computer 400 andmounting component 420, or may alternatively be integrated with themounting component 420. A portion of the card 426 is inserted into theexpansion slot or port 428 to provide for communication between theportable module 100 and computer 400.

[0155] A communication link between the portable module 100 and thecomputer 400 via communication ports 110 and 410 provides interoperationsubstantially as described above. Thus, if the portable module 100 lacksprocessing resources required for certain file types, such as voicemessages, audio files and images, the files may be processed using thecomputer 400. In the case of a voice message or audio file, the filesmay preferably be played back through a sound subsystem on the computer400. Image files, including still images and video files, may similarlybe viewed or played by the computer 400. If the portable module 100 isfurther enabled for Internet browsing, audio and image processingresources of the computer 400 may be utilized.

[0156] The computer 400 may also be used to prepare data or files whichmay then be transferred to the portable module 100 when the device is inits mounted position or otherwise in communication with the computer400. Such files may then be stored in the first memory subsystem on theportable module 100 for later use on the portable module 100 or otherequipment with which the portable module 100 may be mounted, ortransferred over a wireless communication network from the portablemodule 100. The computer 400 may also provide power terminals forpowering the portable module 100 as similarly described with referenceto FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0157] Accordingly, a suitably adapted computer 400 may effectivelyprovide additional input and output capabilities for a portable module100. In another embodiment, the portable module 100 provides wirelessmodem functionality to the computer 400. When a portable module 100 ismounted on or in communication with the computer 400, the computer 400is preferably able to implement the portable module 100 as a wirelessmodem for the computer 400. A user may then use the computer 400directly to send and receive data, files, emails and the like andperform Internet browsing functions.

[0158] Non-communication functions supported by the portable module 100are preferably operable when the portable module 100 in use by thecomputer 400 as a wireless modem. Additionally, the user may select andpreferably switch between a portable module-controlled communicationmode and a computer-controlled communication mode.

[0159]FIG. 25 is another embodiment of the information system whereinthe portable module is received in a receiving portion of a facsimilemachine. In FIG. 25, a portable module 100 is mountable on a facsimilemachine 500. The facsimile machine 500 has a keypad 504 for entering adestination facsimile number, a handset 506 for placing voice calls anda display screen 508. A communication link between the portable module100 and the facsimile machine 500 via communication ports 110 and 510provides interoperation substantially as described above.

[0160] Contact information including contact names and associatedfacsimile numbers may be transferred between the portable module 100 andthe facsimile machine 500. The display 144 of the portable module 100may therefore be used to display facsimile machine information when theportable module 100 is in its mounted position, particularly where thefacsimile machine 500 does not have its own display screen or itsdisplay screen 508 is relatively small. If file types compatible withthe facsimile machine 500 are stored on the portable module 100, thensuch files may be transferred to the facsimile machine 500 for printingor transfer to another facsimile machine.

[0161] Similarly, the portable module 100 or facsimile machine 500 maysupport file conversions such that other file types may be converted tofacsimile-compatible file types, files of such other types may betransferred from the portable module 100 to the facsimile machine 500for printing or sending. Received facsimiles may also be printed by thefacsimile machine 500, transferred from the facsimile machine to theportable module 100, or both.

[0162] Placing calls from the facsimile machine 500 based on contactdata selected in the portable module 100, substantially as describedabove in conjunction with base module 200, may be implemented in thefacsimile machine 500 embodiment of FIG. 25. Furthermore, if theportable module 100 is operable to receive facsimile transmissions, thefacsimile transmission may be printed out at the facsimile machine 500.

[0163] Although a receiving portion 530 is shown in FIG. 25, thepreviously described port- or expansion slot-based connection, separatemounting component or a short-range wireless communication link may beimplemented to provide for communication between the portable module 100and the facsimile machine 500.

[0164]FIGS. 26 and 27 show arrangements whereby the portable module 100interoperates with a scanner 600. FIG. 26 is an embodiment of theinformation system wherein the portable module includes a mounting baseoperable to communicate with a scanner via a cable, and FIG. 27 isanother embodiment of the information system wherein the portable moduleincludes a mounting base received by the scanner in a receiving slot. Acommunication link between the portable module 100 and the scanner 600via communication ports 110 and 610 provides for information transferand interoperation, substantially as described above. In FIG. 26, thescanner 600 communicates with the portable module 100 through a cable642 connecting a mounting component 640 to a port 644. The scanner 600in FIG. 27 incorporates an expansion port or slot 648 adapted to receivea computer card 646. The computer card 646 is either connectable to orintegrated with the mounting component 640, as described above withreference to FIG. 24. A mounting cavity or wireless link (not shown) mayalso enable communication between the portable module 100 and thescanner 600.

[0165] When a document is scanned by the scanner 600, the resultant datarepresenting the document may be transferred to the portable module 100.This data may then be stored on the portable module 100 for later use,sent over a wireless communication network, or transferred to anotherdevice with which the portable module 100 may communicate. Otherfeatures which may be implemented in portable module 100 and scanner 600embodiment include scanner information display on the portable moduledisplay 144 and portable module 100 powering and/or power sourcecharging from a scanner power source.

[0166] In FIGS. 28 and 29, a portable module 100 interoperates with acomputer printer 700. FIG. 28 is an embodiment of the information systemwherein the portable module includes a mounting base operable tocommunicate with a printer via a cable, and FIG. 29 is anotherembodiment of the information system wherein the portable module isreceived in a receiving portion of a printer. As shown in FIG. 28, theportable module 100 communicates with printer 700 through a wiredconnection 704 and mounting component 702. The mounting component 702may also be of the type shown in FIG. 24, which communicates with theprinter 700 via a computer card and a corresponding port or slot in theprinter 700.

[0167] The printer 700 of FIG. 29 has a receiving portion 730 in its topsurface adapted to receive the portable module 100. The printer 700normally has multiple keys 758 for operation. A typically small displayscreen 760 is also normally provided in order to display statusinformation, error signals and the like.

[0168] The printer 700 and the portable module 100 interoperate to printinformation that is stored in the first memory subsystem 120 theportable module 100. Such stored information that a user may wish toprint may include email messages, task lists, calendar appointments,notepad contents, contact information, and stored files. A user maypreferably also compose information or files on the portable module 100for immediate printing on the printer 700.

[0169] Printer 700 information may also be displayed on the portablemodule display 144. The portable module display 144 may be used inconjunction with or instead of the printer display 760. When theportable module 100 is in its mounted position, its display 144 iseither entirely or partially used to display printer information,substantially as described above in the base module 200 embodiments ofFIGS. 1-17. If the printer display 760 is inactive or displays only thesame information as the portable module display 144 when the portablemodule 100 is in its mounted position, then the receiving portion 730may be positioned in proximity to the printer display 760 in order tominimize space requirements, as previously described with reference toFIGS. 7 and 8. Device powering and/or power source charging from aprinter 700 power source are also preferably implemented.

[0170] In accordance with a further embodiment of the information system10, a single portable module 100 may be mounted on any suitably adaptedother device. As described briefly above, certain interoperationfunctions, such as device power source recharging and device poweringfor example, may be classified as generic functions supported for alldevices by any equipment adapted for mounting of a portable module 100.In such a system, a user may access any supported interoperationfunctions by mounting a mobile device 100 in a receiving portion orcomponent associated with any suitably adapted equipment, including atelephone set, computer, facsimile machine, scanner and printer.

[0171] The embodiments described herein are examples of structures,systems or methods having elements corresponding to the elements of theinvention recited in the claims. This written description may enablethose of ordinary skill in the art to make and use embodiments havingalternative elements that likewise correspond to the elements of theinvention recited in the claims. The intended scope of the inventionthus includes other structures, systems or methods that do not differfrom the literal language of the claims, and further includes otherstructures, systems or methods with insubstantial differences from theliteral language of the claims.

We claim:
 1. An information system, comprising: a portable modulecomprising a first communication port, a first processing subsystem, anda first memory subsystem for storing data, the portable module operableto perform a first set of functions and communicate over a firstcommunication network; and a base module comprising a secondcommunication port, the base module operable to perform a second set offunctions; wherein the portable module and the base module interoperatethe first set of functions and the second set of functions over thefirst and second communication ports.
 2. The information system of claim1, wherein the first and second communication ports comprise first andsecond wireless transceivers, respectively.
 3. The information system ofclaim 2, wherein the first and second wireless transceivers are selectedfrom the group consisting of: infrared transceivers and radio frequencytransceivers.
 4. The information system of claim 1, wherein the firstand second communication ports are selected from the group consistingof: serial ports and Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports.
 5. Theinformation system of claim 1, wherein the base module includes a firstreceiving portion configured to receive the portable module, and whereinthe portable module and the base module interoperate when the portablemodule is received in the first receiving portion.
 6. The informationsystem of claim 1, wherein the base module further comprises a secondmemory subsystem for storing data and a second processing subsystem, andthe portable module and the base module are operable to exchange andstore data stored in the first memory subsystem and second memorysubsystem when communicating over the first and second communicationports.
 7. The information system of claim 6, wherein one of the portablemodule and the base module is designated a master device, and datastored in the one of the portable module and the base module notdesignated the master device is updated to data stored in the masterdevice when the portable module and the base module communicate over thefirst and second communication ports.
 8. The information system of claim6, wherein the base module is further operable to receive and placecalls over a second communication network, and wherein the portablemodule is further operable to receive and place calls over the firstcommunication network.
 9. The information system of claim 8, wherein thebase module is a telephone module operable to communicate over atelephone network.
 10. The information system of claim 8, wherein thefirst communication network is a cellular communication network and thesecond communication network is a telephone network.
 11. The informationsystem of claim 8, wherein the first memory subsystem and the secondmemory subsystem store contact data, and the portable module and thebase module are operable to exchange the contact data over the first andsecond communication ports.
 12. The information system of claim 11,wherein the base module is further operable to place calls based on thecontact data stored in the first memory subsystem in the portablemodule.
 13. The information system of claim 11, wherein the contact datacomprises caller identification data for incoming calls, and theportable module and the base module are operable to place calls based onthe caller identification data.
 14. The information system of claim 8,wherein the portable module is operable to record and store in the firstmemory subsystem inputs to the base module when in communication withthe base module over the first and second communication ports.
 15. Theinformation system of claim 14, wherein the portable module is furtheroperable to transmit the recorded inputs over the first communicationnetwork.
 16. The information system of claim 8, wherein the portablemodule is further operable to transmit a control message to the firstcommunication network when in communication with the base module overthe first and second communication ports, the control message causingcalls to the portable module over the first communication network to berouted to the base module over the second communication network.
 17. Theinformation system of claim 16, wherein the portable module transmitsthe control message to the first communication network automatically.18. The information system of claim 16, wherein the control messagefurther causes an existing call to the portable module over the firstcommunication network to be routed to the base module over the secondcommunication network.
 19. The information system of claim 8, whereinthe base module is further operable to transmit a control message to thesecond communication network when not in communication with the portablemodule over the first and second communication ports, the controlmessage causing calls to the base module over the second communicationnetwork to be routed to the portable module over the first communicationnetwork.
 20. The information system of claim 19, wherein the controlmessage further causes an existing call to the base module over thesecond communication network to be routed to the portable module overthe first communication network.
 21. The information system of claim 19,wherein the base module transmits the control message to the secondcommunication network automatically.
 22. The information system of claim8, wherein the base module is further operable to communicate over thefirst communication network when the portable module is in communicationwith the base module over the first and second communication ports. 23.The information system of claim 8, wherein the portable module isfurther operable to communicate over the second communication networkwhen the portable module is in communication with the base module overthe first and second communication ports.
 24. The information system ofclaim 5, wherein: the portable module further comprises a first displayfor displaying portable module data; and the base module furthercomprises a second display for displaying base module data; wherein theportable module is operable to display base module data in the firstdisplay when received in the first receiving portion of the base module.25. The information system of claim 24, wherein the second display ispositioned on the base module within the first receiving portion. 26.The information system of claim 6, wherein the portable module furthercomprises a first display, and is further operable to display datastored in the second memory subsystem of the base module when incommunication with the base module over the first and secondcommunication ports.
 27. The information system of claim 8, wherein theportable module further comprises a first display, and is furtheroperable to display information related to a base module communicationover the second communication network.
 28. The information system ofclaim 27, wherein the first display comprises a first display region anda second display region, and data related to the portable module isdisplayed in the first display region, and data related to the basemodule is displayed in the second display region.
 29. The informationsystem of claim 6, further comprising a second portable modulecomprising a third communication port, a third processing subsystem, anda third memory subsystem for storing data, the second portable moduleoperable to perform a third set of functions and communicate over thefirst communication network, wherein the second portable module and thebase module interoperate the second set of functions and the third setof functions over the first and third communication ports.
 30. Theinformation system of claim 8, further comprising a second portablemodule comprising a third communication port, a third processingsubsystem, and a third memory subsystem for storing data, the secondportable module operable to perform a third set of functions andcommunicate over a third communication network, wherein the secondportable module and the base module interoperate the second set offunctions and the third set of functions over the first and thirdcommunication ports.
 31. The information system of claim 29, wherein:the base module includes a first receiving portion configured to receivethe portable module, and wherein the portable module and the base moduleinteroperate when the portable module is received in the first receivingportion; the base module further inlcudes a second receiving portioncomprising a fourth communication port and configured to receive thesecond portable module; and the second portable module and the basemodule interoperate over the third and fourth communication ports whenthe second portable module is received in the second receiving portionof the base module.
 32. The information system of claim 5, wherein: theportable module further comprises a first power port; the base modulefurther comprises a second power port; and the first power port andsecond power port couple when the portable module is received in thereceiving portion of the base module.
 33. The information system ofclaim 1, wherein the portable module is a wireless mobile communicationdevice.
 34. The information system of claim 33, wherein the wirelessmobile communication device is selected from the group consisting of: acellular telephone, a pager, a wireless e-mail communication device anda personal digital assistant (PDA) enabled for wireless communications.35. The information system of claim 1, wherein the base module is afacsimile machine operable to generate a facsimile transmission of datastored in the first memory subsystem.
 36. The information system ofclaim 1, wherein the base module is a printer operable to print datastored in the first memory subsystem.
 37. The information system ofclaim 1, wherein the base module is a scanner operable to generatescanned data and the portable module is operable to store the scanneddata in the first memory subsystem.
 38. The information system of claim1, wherein the base module further comprises a speaker, and wherein thebase module is operable to generate an audio signal from data receivedfrom the portable module over the first and second communication ports.39. An information system, comprising: a portable module comprising afirst communication port, a first processing subsystem, and a firstmemory subsystem for storing data, the portable module operable toperform a first set of functions; and a communication device comprisinga second communication port and operable to perform a second set offunctions and communicate over a first communication network; whereinthe portable module and the communication device interoperate the firstset of functions and the second set of functions when communicating overthe first and second communication ports.
 40. The information system ofclaim 39, wherein the communication device is operable to communicateover the first communication network based on data stored in the firstmemory subsystem of the portable module.
 41. The information system ofclaim 40, wherein the portable module further comprises a display and isfurther operable to display data related to a communication devicecommunication over the first communication network.
 42. The informationsystem of claim 39, wherein the communication device is a facsimilemachine operable to generate a facsimile transmission of data stored inthe first memory subsystem.
 43. The information system of claim 39,wherein: the communication device includes a receiving portionconfigured to receive the portable module, and wherein the portablemodule and the communication device interoperate when the portablemodule is received in the receiving portion; the portable module furthercomprises a first display for displaying portable module information;and the communication device further comprises a second display fordisplaying communication device information, the second display locatedin the receiving portion; wherein the first display displayscommunication device information when the portable module is received inthe receiving portion.
 44. The information system of claim 43, whereinthe first display comprises a first display region and a second displayregion, and portable module information is displayed in the firstdisplay region and communication device information is displayed in thesecond display region.
 45. The information system of claim 39, whereinthe first set of functions and the second set of functions comprisegeneric functions and restricted functions, and wherein the genericfunctions are enabled when the portable module is in communication withthe communication device over the first and second communication ports.46. The information system of claim 45, wherein the portable module mayfurther be associated with the communication device, and the restrictedfunctions are enabled only when the portable module in communicationwith the communication device over the first and second communicationports is associated with the communication device.
 47. In a systemcomprising a communication module operable to communicate over a firstcommunication network and a data module operable to store data, a methodcomprising the steps of: executing first functions on the communicationmodule; executing second functions on the data module; establishing acommunication link between the communication module and the data module;and interoperating the first functions of the communication module andthe second functions of the data module through the communication link.48. The method of claim 47, wherein the step of interoperating comprisesthe step of executing the first functions on the data module.
 49. Themethod of claim 47, wherein the data stored in the data module comprisescontact data, and the method further comprises the steps of:transmitting the contact data from the data module to the communicationmodule; and establishing a communication over the first communicationnetwork with the communication module based on the data received fromthe data module.
 50. The method of claim 47, further comprising thesteps of: storing data in the communication module; and exchanging databetween the communication module and the data module through thecommunication link.
 51. The method of claim 50, wherein the step ofestablishing a communication link between the communication module andthe data module comprises the step of receiving the data module in areceiving portion of the communication module.
 52. The method of claim51, wherein the data module is further operable to communicate over asecond communication network, the method further comprising the step ofsending a control signal from the data module to the secondcommunication network that causes communications to the data module overthe second communication network to be routed to the communicationmodule over the first communication network.
 53. The method of claim 51,wherein the data module is further operable to communicate over a secondcommunication network, the method further comprising the step of sendinga control signal from the communication module to the firstcommunication network that causes communications to the communicationmodule over the first communication network to be routed to the datamodule over the second communication network.
 54. The method of claim47, further comprising the steps of recording in the data module throughthe communication link inputs to the communication module.